Timing means



Jam 30, 1940. I ALLEN 2,188,469

TIMING MEANS Filed July 16, 1937 'FIG.1 I P Y F 4 FIG. 7

I INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 30, 1940 TIMING MEANS Albert J. Allen, Brooklyn, N. Y.

ApplicationJuly 16, 1937, Serial No. 153,904

18 Claims.

This invention'relates to a timing element, especially to a device by which energy stored in a resilient body, such as a tensed spring, is utilized to move a control means through a given path in a predetermined time, and the invention relates more particularly to a device which dispenses with clockwork mechanism, dashpots and like escapement devices of a conventional character, for the control of the timing period.

The primary object of the invention is to pro vide a timing element in which the release or application of the stored energy, for timing purposes, as for example the reflex action of a tensed spring, is controlled for the predetermined period by the intervention of a flexible element hav-- ing a low elastic limit, such as lead or a suitable soft metal or alloy, which is so associated with the spring that this resistantly yielding component must be flexed progressively by the reflex action l of the spring. v

A cognate object of the invention is to provide for ready adjustments of the timed period, by means which will afford an adequate range of such adjustments, and also will provide for sufllcient sensitivity of adjustments within said.

range.

Among other objects of ancillary character, is the provision for avoiding undesirable aberrations in the operation of such a device, due to changing temperature conditions, by the utilization of a bi-metallic or other suitable temperature-compensating device or element, which may be associated as a component element of a composite structure of a unitary character which includes the spring component and the soft-metal component. v

A further object of the invention is to provide, as anew article or manufacture, a composite stock strip fabricated of at least two different metal;

Such a strip may be fabricated by any of a variety of methods, and as merely illustrative examples of available methods, the strip components may be united by mechanical means,

such as rivets, or lead may be cast or rolled as an envelope upon a spring strip base, either of the individual length for a single unit; or of indefinite length, to bemade up into a multiplicity of units. If desired, a bi-metallic compensating strip may be added to such a composite timing element stockstructure, for use where the compensation of changing temperature conditions is of importance.

A further object of the invention is to provide for the practical utilization of a timing element in the fabrication of which the above novel structure has been embodied, by associating therewith means for making and breaking an electrical circuit, the timing mechanism so constituted being controlled by the improved timing element herein disclosed, both in an instance where the act of making or breaking is an isolated operation, and in an instance where the vibrating movements. of a spring activated by a cam are employed in a series of contact making and breaking operations of such frequency (as for example in making contact for electromagnets), that the unretarded. action of the spring alone is too quick for the lag in the electrical apparatus, and improper operation results.

In such an instance as the latter, provision is made to slow down the operation of the spring by the attachment thereto of a soft-metal retarding strip, such as lead, so that the apparatus controlled by the vibration of the spring contacts is enabled to operate properly.

A further object of the invention is to provide an appliance of the nature of an electrical circuit breaker having somewhat general utility, by the combination in a pile or assembly, of a strip of springy steel phosphor bronze, or any other suitable bi-metal, with a flat strip of lead or other suitable soft metal or'alloy, and in which pile is also provided a temperature-compensated strip; one end of the pile being secured to a suitable support. end of the pile be deflected. manually or otherwise, the spring will tend to return to its original position, but such return or reflex action, will be retarded by the lead strip, and the variations in temperature will be compensated for by the temperature-compensating strip component. The

With such an assembly, if the free the actuation of a suitable manually operable device.

r Other objects and features of the invention will appear as the description of the particular physical embodiment of the invention selected for the present disclosure progresses.

In the accompa ying drawing, like characters of reference have been applied to corresponding parts throughout the several views which make up the drawing, in'which:

Fig. l is a plan view of a timing mechanism in the constructon of which the present invention has been embodied;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view in vertical section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view in side elevation of another form of timing mechanism in the construction of which a modification of the improved timing element of the present invention has been embodied} Fig. 5 is a plan view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 illustrates in side elevation still another modification of the invention, embodied in a device intended for use in the vibration by a cam of a spring, where the spring vibrates freely,

and is shown as modulated by a lead strip in' pursuance of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a view in perspective and cross -sec-. tion of a form of composite timing; strip element in the construction of which the invention has been embodied.

Referring to the drawing, and first to Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive a lead strip I3 has secured to it upon one side by suitable means such as soldering a bi-metal, temperature compensating strip 22 and upon the other side is a spring l2 separate .from the strip l3, serving to thrust the push button 23 outwardly when released from the operators finger. to thrust the push button 44 outwardly when released from the operators finger. The strip l3 with the strip 22 soldered to one side thereof and the springs I2 and I5 are mounted upon a support B, B by being clamped as by bolts l5, between an abutment l1 and a clamping plate l8, and are thus held in position to extend at right angles to a ledge |9 secured, as by screws 29, to a base 2|, the other ends of thestrips l3 and 22 and the springs l2 and I5 being. free.

Whenthe button 23 is pushed inward manually it acts to turn a lever frame F around a pivot P mounted on the base plate 2|, and causes the other end of .this lever to enter into engagement with a bar 24 at the adjacent end 25 of a complemental yoke lever Y which is pivoted on a post P also mounted upon the base plate 2|, such engagement resulting in the tilting of the end 26 of the lever frame F downwardly and thereby placing under tension a coil spring S, which is connected to the lever end 26 and extends thence to a connection at 21 with a bar across the closed end 23 of yoke Y.

Upon this yoke-end is mounted a contact spring finger 29, the lower end 30 of which is free to move toward and from-a complemental contact point 3|, extending from a support E secured by bolts 32 to the base plate 2|, and which may -be included in any electrical working circuit which it is desired to control by the timing mechanism,

the circuit being closed,- in the instance illustrated, when the contact linger 29 is turned counter-clockwise by rotation of the yoke Y as Also a spring |5 serves,

the operator pushes the button 23 upwardly as already described and thereby depresses the end 25 of the yoke and causes the finger to swing to the right, the end of the frame .F coming against the bar 24 and forcing it downwardly 5 as the opposite end with the roller 34 is raised by the push button 23. I i when the frame Y is depressed sufliciently the spring 40 will cause the notch 38 in the arm 35 of the trip lever T to engage the pin 39 on the frame Y and thus latch the frame in its lowered position, the trip lever T having the three arms 35, 36 and 31 and being pivoted upon the post P mounted in the supporting back 2|. The spring S being tensed it will tend to raise the end 26 of the lever'F but this will be resisted bythe anti-friction wheel 34 at its other end coming against the timing element compris- 'ing the lead strip |3 which will be only slowly yielding and permit the roller 34 and its (torresponding end'of the lever F to yield slowly in predetermined timing. When the timing element, however, has permitted the roller 34 to descend-sufliciently the. pin 43 in the frame F come against the arm 36 of the trip lever T andiiurn it about its pivot P against the action of the spring 43. This will result in releasing the pin 39 from the arm 35 of the lever T when the frame Y will be quickly moved upwardly about the pivotal point P causing a quick break at the contacts 30; and 3|. The upward movement of the frame Y is limited by its coming against the stop pin. 33 mounted in the frame plate 2|. It will now be observed that the con-. tact at 3l-3| will be maintained as long as the timing element holds the adjacent end of the lever frame F in a; suinciently raised position to prevent the pin 43 from moving the lever T to release the pin 39. The timing element having been raised into its uppermost position by means of the push button 23 and the contacts 3|] and 3| having been brought into and latched in engagement as described, the coil spring S will continually press the roller 34 against the timing element which will yield accordingto a predetermined timing -so that the pin 43 will, after a predetermined. time interval, trip the latch T from the pin 39 and permit the contacts to open.

The parts will now occupy the position illustrated in Fig. 2 ready to cause closure of the contact for a predetermined time interval by pushing button 23.

Provision is made of another push button 44 in a socket of the flange B by which the trip lever arm 3'! may be engaged and turnedclockwise to release the pin 39 and terminate the timing operation manually. 1

In Fig. 4, I have illustrated a. modified form of timing mechanism in which is provided a rotatable member R, fixed on an axle 46 journailed in a slot 41 of a bracket 48 extending from a standard 49 above a planiform member 50, with relation to which the rotative member R is thereby permitted a limited rolling movement.

free end of a yoke 58 to which is attached by a cross pin 59 the other end of spring 55.

The yoke 58 is mounted plvotally by pins 60 on the bracket 8, and the pin 59 passes through a slot 6|.

The'spring 55 exerts a clockwise bias upon the member R, tending constantly, when under tension, to turn the member R to the position shown in Fig. 4.

The member R may be rotated by any suitable means, not,shown, actuated manually or otherwise, to turn the member R counterclockwise, and unwind the lead strip portion la: which is flattened out by the rolling action of the member R, as the spring 55 is tensed. As the spring reacts the lead strip will be wound upon the drum. 1

The characteristic resistance to 'flexure of the lead strip 5| then operates to oppose the action of the spring 55, and serves to modulate the speed of travel of the member R. Such travel, at the rate predetermined by the tension placed on spring 55 may be utilized for timing purposes by any suitable means (not shown). 4 In this form of the timing means the lead strip is flexed uniformly at all stages of its wind up which produces a more uniform operation of the device.

In Fig. 6 is illustrated a modified form of device embodying the invention, in which the vibration of a spring 62 (which may be a contact in an electric circuit) by the known action of a rotating cam 63 is so modulated by the action of a lead strip 64 secured to one side of the spring 63 and clamped therewith as at 65, in a suitable support 66, that the vibration of the spring is slowed down by the retarding action of the strip, thus avoiding a too rapid spring action, and the contact-making will be accomplished with the desired frequency, enabling proper. operation of the apparatus controlled by vibration of the spring.

Another embodiment of the invention forming a convenient and suitable appliance for carrying into effect the novel method of timing constituting a feature of the present invention is shown in Fig. '7. The timing element there shown comprises a composite laminated structure including a strip component I2 made of a material having a relatively high elastic limit,

.such as a resilient spring strip of phosphor bronze, with which is associated a strip of material having a relatively low elastic limit, such as a soft metal, preferably lead, designated by the reference character l3.

The above-described components l2 and I 3', constitute in combination a novel timing element, whether used alone, or in combination with other strip components, inasmuch as the opposition of the resistantly yielding soft metal strip 13' to the resilient spring l2 serves, in pursuance of the invention, to carry into effect satisfactorily the method of the present invention, which, when viewed in its broad or generic aspect, consists.

essentially in the modulation of the reflex action of a tensed resilient member or component, such as the spring I! by a resistantly yielding component, such as the lead strip I3.

In Fig. 7, a stock strip is illustrated, which shows,'at I2 and [3, this combination including the springy member l2, and the flexible but lethargic modulating component l3 of lead cast about the strip 12-. Such a stock strip may be fabricated of indefinite extent, and adapted to be severed into parts of desired length for the intended use, so that the composite strip, when fabricated simply of a phosphorus bronze spring l2 and a modulating layer of lead 13', is a complete embodiment of said idea of means; and when made in a duplex strip of indefinite length, as indicated in Fig. 7, satisfies the terms of those claims which relate to the timing element in its aspect of a new article of manufacture, whether as an individual timing element or as a stock strip from which may be severed timing element .units of any desired length.

While the invention has been illustrated in ly low elastic limit.

2. A composite timing element of the class described: said timing element comprising a .strip of material having arelatively high elastic limit; and means for limiting the reflex action of. said component according to a predetermined time comprising a strip of material having a relatively low elastic limit; said strip components being associated in a unitary. structure.

3. A composite timing element of the class described: said timing element comprising a strip component made of resilient metal; and means for limiting the reflex action of said component according to a predetermined time comprising a strip component made of soft metal; substantially as described.

4. A composite timing element of the class described: said timing element comprising a stripcomponent made of phosphor bronze; and means for limiting the reflex action of said component according to a predetermined time comprising an associated strip component made of lead; substantially as described.

5. In a timing mechanism or device of the class described: a composite timing element comprising a spring component; a support upon which said spring may be readily placed under tension; and means forlimiting the reflex action of said component according to a predetermined time comprising a modulating component associated with said spring component upon said support and including a strip of soft metal adapted to oppose a yielding resistance to reflex action of said tensed spring.

6. A timing mechanism having the features claimed in claim 5; in which means are provided for varying the tension of said spring to control the timing effect.

'7. In a timing mechanism or device of the class described, a composite timing element comprising a spring component, a support upon which said spring may be readily placed under tension and a modulating component associated with said spring component upon said support and including a strip of soft metal adapted to oppose a yielding resistance to reflex action of said tensed spring, said supporting means including a rotatable member and a planiform member along which said rotatable member is adapted to run under restraint, said spring being adapted to bias said rotatable member in one direction when the spring is tensed, said stri" ponent compensating for variations due to of soft metal'being fitted between said members,

and partly around said rotatable member, and being adapted to countervail said bias'yieldingly.

8. A composite timing means of the class described, comprising a component made of ma"- teriarhaving a relatively high elastic limit, an associate component made of material having a relatively low elastic limit and a conjugate comvdifferences of temperature conditions.

9. Means for modulating a timing device comprising a spring component madeof material having a relatively high elastic limit and an associate slowly yielding component of material having a relatively low elastic limit and a component adapted to compensate for aberrations due to environmental variations in temperature, said last component being temperature responsive and mechanically connected with said spring element.

10. Means for modulating a timing device comprising a component made of spring material having a relatively high elastic limit, an associate slowly yielding component of material having a relatively'low elastic limit and a supplemental component adapted to compensate for aberrations due to environmental variations in temperature, said last mentioned component comprising a bi-metal element responsive to changes in temperature and connected mechanically with said associated tensing element.

11. A resilient timing means comprising in combination a spring under tension, a planiform body of lead arranged injuxtaposition with said spring and modulating the reflex action of said spring according to a predetermined time by the resistant yielding to flexure inherent in the lead.

12. A resilient timing means comprising in combination a spring under tension, a body of metal having a relatively low elastic limit united metallically with said spring and modulating the reflex action of said spring according to a predetermined time by the resistant yielding to flexure inherent in the said metal.

13. A tensed timing means comprising in combination a spring under tension and an envelope of soft metal disposed closely circumjacent to said spring and modulating the reflex action thereof.

14. A tensed resilient timing element comprising in combination a sheet metal spring and a 6 lead strip supported by said spring and modulating the action thereof according to a predetermined time. y

'15. The combination with an electric switch, of timing means for controlling said switch comprising a component made of material having a relatively high elastic limit and means for limiting thereflex action of said component according to a predetermined time comprising an associated component made of a material having a 15 relatively low elastic limit. i

16. The combination with an electric switch, of timing means for controlling said switch comprising a component made of material having a relatively high elastic limit and means for limiting the reflex action of said component according to a predetermined time-comprising an associated component made of a material hav-- ing a relatively low elastic-limit and means for operating said switch at will. g

17. The combination with an electric switch, of a latch therefor and. timing'means for controlling said latch, said timing means comprising a component made of material having a rel atively high elastic limit and means-for limiting the reflex action of said component according to ,a predetermined time comprising an associated component made of material having a relatively low elastic limit.

18. The combination withan electric switch,- of a latch therefor and timing means for controlling said latch, said timing means comprising a component made of material having a relatively high elastic limit and means for limiting the reflex action of said component according to a predetermined time comprising an associated component made of material having a relatively low elastic limit and means for operating said latch at will.

ALBERT J. ALLEN. Q 

